Our Lady of Fuensanta Crowned

"Patron Saint of the Four Towns and Queen of the Olive Grove" · Villanueva del Arzobispo (Jaén)

In the heart of the Jiennense olive tree, the Virgin of the Fuensana is the patron of the entire region of Las Villas. With the unique distinction of being a formal patron of four municipalities at the same time, his veneration has been documented since the 13th century.

Main data

History and patronage

The cult of Fuensana is documented from 1291and is one of the most significant areas of popular religiosity in the province of Jaén. Its most unique feature is the patronazgo compartido: is an official patron of the four municipalities that form the region of Las Villas - Villanueva del Archbishop, Iznatoraf, Villacarillo and Sorihuela del Guadalimar -, a rare case of a single image that reigns over four villages.

The sanctuary and the festival

Se venera en su Diocesan Sanctuary of Villanueva del Archbishop, the goal of pilgrimage from all over the region. Their holiday is the September 8, Nativity of the Virgin.

The canonical coronation

It was canonically crowned the 29 September 1956at a ceremony presided over by Felix Romero Mengibar, Bishop of Jaén.

Favors and popular devotion

The four villages entrust the needs of the land and its people to their Queen of the Olive Grove, and thank her for favors kept in the grateful memory of the region, without this implying a formal ecclesiastical declaration.

Mary, source of grace

The name "Fuensanta" - a holy source - unites, like so many Marian asvocations, the water that gives life with the grace that springs from Mary. She goes with him. Holy Rosarywith which the Virgin always leads us to her Son.